The Minolta FS-E II is a point-and-shoot camera. It was manufactured by Minolta and presented in the 1980s. It is the successor of the Minolta FS-E and the predecessor of the Minolta FS-E III. The model was sold in the USA under the name Minolta Freedom 100.
The camera comes with a fixed focal length. This is a focal length of 35 mm. The maximum aperture is f/4.5, so it is not particularly fast. The focus of the lens cannot be changed. The closest focusing distance is 150 cm.
The 35mm photo camera has a light meter with automatic exposure. Aperture and shutter speed are set automatically. It is designed for films from ISO 100 to ISO 400. The film speed is read by the DX code on the film cartridge. If no code is available, ISO 100 is set.
There is no manual mode or exposure compensation. There is also no tripod mount or self-timer. But there is a flash. The flash has a range of up to 3.2 meters at ISO 100. At ISO 400, the maximum range is 6.4 meters. The charging time for the flash is around 3.6 seconds.
The camera weighs 210 grams and measures 12.9 x 6.95 x 4.7 cm. Two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*) are required to operate the camera. About 550 pictures are possible with one battery charge. The batteries are also needed for the motor for film transport.
Films for the Minolta FS-E II
According to the instruction manual, 35mm films are exposed in the Minolta FS-E II. Available photo films for the compact camera, which can be easily obtained from online retailers, are the Kodak T-Max 400* for black and white photos and the Kodak Portra 400* for color images. Of course, there are other manufacturers of suitable film stock. These include Foma, Fujifilm, Rollei and Lomography. The films should be in the sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 400.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Snapshot camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 35 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/4.5 |
| Minimum focus distance | 150 cm / 4.92 ft |
| Focus | Fixed |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 100 to 400 |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | Yes |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic |
| Manual exposure settings | No |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Flash range | 1,5 to 3,2 Meter / 4.92 to 10.5 Feet |
| Tripod mount | No |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | 2x AA batteries |
| Size | 12,9 x 6,95 x 4,7 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.08 x 2.74 x 1.85 inches |
| Weight | 210 Grams |
| Names in other markets | USA: Minolta Freedom 100 |
| Estimated value / Used price | 53,81 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 11 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 52,67 Euro (56.28 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 50,92 Euro (54.12 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 37,71 Euro (40.05 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Minolta FS-E II
What is the focal length of the Minolta FS-E II's fixed lens?
The Minolta FS-E II has a fixed 35mm lens. This means the lens cannot be zoomed, offering a standard field of view.
Does this point-and-shoot camera offer any manual controls for exposure?
No, the Minolta FS-E II lacks manual controls. Exposure is fully automatic; there's no manual mode or exposure compensation.
What type of film does the Minolta Freedom 100 use, and what ISO range is it designed for?
This compact camera uses 35mm film and is designed for ISO 100 to ISO 400 films. The camera reads the DX code for automatic ISO setting.
How long does the flash take to recharge on the Minolta FS-E II?
The flash recharge time is approximately 3.6 seconds. The flash range depends on the film ISO, reaching up to 6.4 meters at ISO 400.
What is the approximate battery life of the camera?
With two AA batteries, you can expect to take roughly 550 photos on a single charge. These batteries also power the film advance motor.